Pullman moves forward on downtown project

PULLMAN — The City of Pullman is preparing to move forward with the reconstruction of Main Street between Spring Street and Grand Avenue planned for 2024, resulting in more space for “people-centric” activities to bring people to downtown Pullman.

The project’s priorities now include improvements to sidewalks, streets, utilities, and streetscape elements on Main Street. Modifications are planned for the Pine Street Plaza and Pine and Kamiaken Streets between Main and Paradise Streets.

Communications Coordinator Sarah Phelan-Blamires stated that the project is being funded through roughly 9 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a federal grant program created in 2021 to aid state and local governments in their post-pandemic recovery.

Budget constraints have made construction plans for Grand Avenue impossible at this time.

The City of Pullman delayed construction from 2023 to 2024 in March 2023 to give owners of downtown property and businesses more time to prepare for construction.

There will be substantial construction, causing the closure of Main Street beginning in May after the Washington State University (WSU) Graduation, with intentions to reopen Main Street Labor Day weekend.

Welch Comer Engineers, a consulting engineering firm that worked with the City and the community to design the Main Street reconstruction, worked to finalize the design through the summer, complete the permitting process, and prepare to seek bids from contractors in the fall of 2023.

Property and business owners can schedule a meeting with Welch Comer Engineers Public Involvement Specialist, Courtney Kramer to review details and discuss how the project might imparct their property or business by visiting http://www.projectdowntownpullman.com/register.